The Holocaust is an unforgettable historic event that still affects our world today. By remembering it, we are able to not repeat history, and learn from past mistakes and intolerance. President Barak Obama shared his views on the Holocaust on Holocaust remembrance day at the Israeli embassy. His speech was not obligatory, which shows the strides he is willing to take to defend and support Israel. His views were very generalized, and instead of talking about just the Jewish people and Israel, he used this opportunity to reflect on the intolerance in the past, present and future. He discussed how we cannot blame others for our own injustices, and that above all else we must have empathy. I really liked this, because I felt like Obama used a momentous event in History to not only learn from the past, but to touch on important events going on in our world today (such as the threat Muslims do or do not pose on America). On the other hand, Ambassador Ron Dermer focused more on what the holocaust means today, and the intolerance Jews still face. Dermer focused more on the Jewish people and what we can do to support them, while Obama focused on how the holocaust relates to the rest of the world. I feel like Dermer's speech felt more personable and affected me more, it made we want to see a change for the Jewish people and see how important having Israel is for the Jewish people. Obama's speech made me want there to be change not just for the Jewish people, but around the whole world. Although Obama was more general, I feel like he affected a larger audience. Since I am in Israel currently, I felt more moved by Dermer's remarks, but what Obama had to say still really resonated with me.
Reading this article made me realize how opinionated I am on politics and that I do not want to stand idly by. I find (Israeli) politics really confusing, but nonetheless I thoroughly enjoy learning about each party. I hope by the time I leave Israel I have a clearer understanding of politics and know which party I identify myself with. Until then, I am still learning.
Your views on this were really interesting. Prior to reading this article I was aware that I was interested in politics. However, I am still not sure of the layout of Israeli politics also. I think that to be able to be involved we both need to be more informed and I hope we can learn more together. The analysis you gave about both speeches was very accurate and I agree with the way you described both.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you. I felt more moved by Ambassodor Dermer's speech then I did by Obama's, yet I feel as if this is only because I am in Israel. If I were in America, I probably would feel more connected to Dermer's speech, but identify more with Obama's.
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